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Cambridge set to get free Wi-Fi

Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council and the University of Cambridge have worked together to set up the free public access Wi-Fi, which builds upon existing University networks to bring lasting benefits for the city and beyond.

Free Wi-Fi across central Cambridge is set to revolutionise the way residents, visitors and students connect to the city.

A year-long trial of a new Wi-Fi network is being launched by Connecting Cambridgeshire and The University of Cambridge ready for when the Tour de France comes to Cambridge on Monday 7 July.

The free Wi-Fi will allow people to keep up to date with friends, work or study on the move and share their experiences of events such as the Tour de France. The service is being provided through BskyB-owned The Cloud, which has over 22,000 hotspots across the UK.

Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council and the University of Cambridge have worked together to set up the free public access Wi-Fi, which builds upon existing University networks to bring lasting benefits for the city and beyond.

More than 20 new Wi-Fi access points have been installed on lighting posts, CCTV poles and public buildings at key locations including Parker’s Piece, King’s Parade, the Senate House and the market area. They include traditional looking lamp posts that have been specially engineered to host the latest Wi-Fi technology discretely.

Councillor Steve Count, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, which leads the Connecting Cambridgeshire programme, said: “Cambridge has always been at the forefront of new technology and evolving the way we interact with the world. This new free public Wi-Fi service in central Cambridge is a fantastic example of the difference we can make for residents, visitors and students by working together.

“Developing wider public access Wi-Fi and improving mobile coverage is part of the Connecting Cambridgeshire programme’s drive for better connectivity across the county, which is vital in an increasingly digital world. This trial paves the way for improving wireless connectivity across the city and beyond.”

Users of the free Wi-Fi can connect to the Internet by logging in, or registering, via a shared landing page on The Cloud, which will provide links to useful information and event updates. A map of free Wi-Fi coverage in Cambridge can be viewed at www.connectingcambridgeshire.co.uk/wifi.